FASTR-Wellington represents an effort to ensure the City does not lose an opportunity for a quantum leap in its transport facilities. We  presented to a number of officials, including the full Wellington City Council (Policy & Strategy Committee, 2020); and - after a long wait - to Let’s Get Wellington Moving (2021).

HISTORY:

12 June 2020  
A promise of FASTR PRESENTING its PROPOSAL TO LGWM

Willy Trolove, Engagement Lead of Let’s Get Wellington Moving advised:

• “The Mass Rapid Transit team have been assessing all previous studies and documentation in relation to mass transit for Wellington. This includes submissions and information from our group FASTR Wellington and advocates for routes and mass transit modes including TramsAction, LRTA and FIT Wellington.
   
• “The Indicative Businesses Case process includes the opportunity for the project team to discuss (and seek feedback on) the variety of mode and route options with advocates. Our planning for these engagements and discussions on these issues has necessarily taken into account the COVID situation, however the MRT team are very much anticipating meeting with mass transit advocates soon and we will be in touch to arrange a meeting in due course.”

• This opportunity to present the benefits of Suspension Monorail seemed positive news. But it then took 10 months of LGWM not replying to emails, before a meeting eventuated!

19 September 2020  
 LGWM ANNOUNCED AN INTERNAL REVIEW OF ITS PROCESSES

• FASTR Wellington made an Official Information request (8 Oct 2020) regarding who had been engaged as consultants to conduct that review. In late December, two days before the extended deadline for a response, LGWM declined to name the consultants.

13 February 2021  
OUTCOME OF THIS REVIEW WAS RELEASED

• Major problems were highlighted, including a lack of appropriate expertise within LGWM, and the review team advised a pause on the program while these problems were addressed. Responses from various players were along the lines of such delay being unacceptable. Yet none commented on remedying the lack of expertise.

• To us in FASTR-Wellington that lack of expertise explained in part why LGWM had failed to engage with our proposal and evaluate its merits in comparison with their preferred ground-based options. The impression was of an out-of-control juggernaut rumbling downhill to nowhere...
  
  EFFECTS OF COVID-19: 2020 - 2021  
  TEMPORARY(sic) DOWNTURNS

• Prior to Covid-19, Welllington’s buses were overloaded past breaking point, partly as a result of changes that led to a loss of experienced drivers. There was still a driver shortage, and many services continued to be canceled. So while bus patronage had not returned to 2019’s peak levels, we knew Wellington needed a mass transit solution sooner rather than later. However a lot had changed since the LGWM project commenced.

• The financial impact of Covid-19 was affecting government infrastructure investment as evidenced by the uncertainty about the Auckland Light Rail between their Airport and  CBD.
  https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/121806170/auckland-mayor-says-light-rail-caught-in-election-campai gn
   
• The 12km Sydney Tram system cost was confirmed as NZD $3.37 billion which was a guide for the cost of a similar service in Wellington (excluding tunnels) https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-11/sydney-light-rail-cost-over-three-billion-auditor-report-finds/12343834
  Yet - judging by the recent Sydney (and Edinburgh) experience -  a Trams option would scarcely improve travel time, taking TWICE  AS LONG as the equivalent Suspension Rail, which is cheaper! [see FAQ #8]
• We are convinced that Suspension Monorail is not only a superior solution (Safer, Swifter, Surer, & Sooner) but is the only financially viable option.
   

• Newsletter, 1 May 2021 An outrageous outcome from our 14 April meeting with LGWM.

• Newsletter 11 August 2021 about further sideshows and diversions.

• Newsletter 10 November 2021 responding to LGWM announcing 4 options.

• Newsletter 21 April 2023. Updating our SAFETY concerns, and noting ongoing misinformation from LGWM about its “Clayton’s Light Rail” preference, highlighting the impracticality of an Island Bay route.

• Brakes hit on Wellington speed reduction plan  after $250m error spotted.
  [Stuff, 19 June 2023]... Cr Tony Randall revealed a serious LGWM gaffe involving a calculation error in a Benefit-Cost calculation. Correction showed the speed reduction plan was doomed..

That same month a Vote of No Confidence in LGWM was put by a group of Councillors, amidst concern about cost overruns. Yet despite that logic and general dissatisfaction, this was voted down by a majority of left-leaning councillors.

2024, RECENT NEWS:

 All this was superseded in late 2023 when a three-part coalition government was formed, allowing National to progress various promises.  Now, in 2024 LGWM has at last been disbanded by the government of the day... But we should all remain alert for the spectre of expensive & unsafe Snail Rail to rise again. It is the kind of history we are doomed to relive.